Oregon Convention Center – Leading with Sustainability

Customers might be surprised to learn that beneath the Oregon Convention Center’s (OCC) distinctive twin spires that define part of Portland’s iconic skyline lays a large-scale rooftop solar system – funded in part by Blue Sky participants. The largest venue of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, drawing events and visitors from around the world, also draws energy from the sun to generate approximately 25 percent of its electricity onsite. In addition, the OCC has supported Blue Sky renewable energy since 2003, supporting nearly 700,000 blocks of Blue Sky! Recently they signed on as one of the first participants in our new Blue Sky Select option.

More recently it’s the carpet inside that is creating quite a buzz.

As part of the OCC’s renovation, 110 tons of old, dated carpet was torn out and will be recycled and re-purposed. The padding will by remade into new carpet padding. And the carpet itself will be headed to our neighbors up north to help keep the Puget Sound cleaner and safer. The new carpet going in is made out of recycled materials and is recyclable too.

Also, as part of its remodel, the OCC is putting in high-tech lighting that senses natural daylight and automatically dims, which will dramatically cut down on energy use.

All this is in addition to the Blue Sky blocks they purchase to match 100 percent of their electric use through the new Blue Sky Select option for large businesses. It’s no wonder they were recently recertified as a LEED Platinum building by the US Green Building Council. OCC is one of only two convention centers in the United States to hold that distinction and continues a Portland tradition of achieving the highest levels of sustainable practice.

We love this sustainability story and love being able to help them achieve their sustainability goals. And we want to be a part and share your story as well. If you’ve got a good story to share, please email bluesky@pacificorp.com, we’d love to hear it!

Thanks to Pacific Power and its Blue Sky customers, the Installation of an on-site solar array will offer the Siskiyou Family YMCA significant long term savings.

With this investment, the Siskiyou YMCA will operate more efficiently, allowing for increased funds to go towards programs and services that will benefit members and the community.

The Siskiyou Family YMCA installed a 90 kilowatt solar array to help offset the energy needs of the facility. The solar array is highly visible element of the property. There is a 1 mile fitness trail that is used daily by the community. The trail goes directly under the elevated solar arrays at several points. The location was selected to optimize the production of the solar panels that will be facing 180 degrees south.

http://www.siskiyouymca.org/expansion

The Siskiyou Family YMCA fills a huge void in what is an economically disadvantaged area, referred to as “frontier” in extreme Northern California. There are few fitness or recreation opportunities for youth and the YMCA is a focal point for healthy activity. A large part of their community's recreation programs take place at the YMCA. Those activities include youth and adult sports leagues, camps, arts & enrichment programs, birthday parties and even whitewater rafting! In addition to general recreation programs, the facility is used by the elementary and high schools for team practices, social activities and special events. The YMCA has become a community gathering place with a majority of community-wide events occurring at the facility throughout the year The Siskiyou Family YMCA is an independent non-profit organization, and is open to anyone regardless of race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

supporting nearly 700,000 blocks of Blue Sky! Recently they signed on as one of the first participants in our new Blue Sky Select option.

More recently it’s the carpet inside that is creating quite a buzz.

As part of the OCC’s renovation, 110 tons of old, dated carpet was torn out and will be recycled and re-purposed. The padding will by remade into new carpet padding. And the carpet itself will be headed to our neighbors up north to help keep the Puget Sound cleaner and safer. The new carpet going in is made out of recycled materials and is recyclable too.

Also, as part of its remodel, the OCC is putting in high-tech lighting that senses natural daylight and automatically dims, which will dramatically cut down on energy use.

All this is in addition to the Blue Sky they purchase to match 100 percent of their electric use through the new Blue Sky Select option for large businesses. It’s no wonder they were recently recertified as a LEED Platinum building by the US Green Building Council. OCC is one of only two convention centers in the United States to hold that distinction and continues a Portland tradition of achieving the highest levels of sustainable practice.

We love this sustainability story and love being able to help them achieve their sustainability goals. And we want to be a part and share your story as well. If you’ve got a good story to share, please email bluesky@pacificorp.com, we’d love to hear it!supporting nearly 700,000 blocks of Blue Sky! Recently they signed on as one of the first participants in our new Blue Sky Select option.

More recently it’s the carpet inside that is creating quite a buzz.
As part of the OCC’s renovation, 110 tons of old, dated carpet was torn out and will be recycled and re-purposed. The padding will by remade into new carpet padding. And the carpet itself will be headed to our neighbors up north to help keep the Puget Sound cleaner and safer. The new carpet going in is made out of recycled materials and is recyclable too.
Also, as part of its remodel, the OCC is putting in high-tech lighting that senses natural daylight and automatically dims, which will dramatically cut down on energy use.
All this is in addition to the Blue Sky they purchase to match 100 percent of their electric use through the new Blue Sky Select option for large businesses. It’s no wonder they were recently recertified as a LEED Platinum building by the US Green Building Council. OCC is one of only two convention centers in the United States to hold that distinction and continues a Portland tradition of achieving the highest levels of sustainable practice.
We love this sustainability story and love being able to help them achieve their sustainability goals. And we want to be a part and share your story as well. If you’ve got a good story to share, please email bluesky@pacificorp.com, we’d love to hear it!